Score: UC Davis 108, Pacific Union 52
Location: University Credit Union Center, Davis, Calif.
Records: UC Davis 7-5, Pacific Union 0-11
THE SHORT STORY: UC Davis closed out non-conference play with a dominant performance Sunday afternoon, routing Pacific Union 108-52 at the University Credit Union Center. Fueling the victory with a stifling defense that forced 28 turnovers and a balanced offense featuring five players in double figures, the Aggies used a massive 23-0 first-half run to put the game out of reach early. UC Davis never trailed, dominating the glass and the transition game to secure their seventh win of the season.
COURT SIDE
- Nils Cooper led the Aggies with a game-high 19 points on efficient 6-of-11 shooting while adding two steals.
- It was a balanced scoring effort as four other Aggies reached double figures: Jalen Stokes (17), Marcus Wilson (15), Brayden Fagbemi (14), and Carl Daughtery Jr. (11).
- The 17 points for Stokes was a career-high for the Oakland native.
- Fagbemi filled the stat sheet, adding 14 points, nine rebounds (five offensive), and a game-high five steals.
- Wilson also filled it up, matching Cooper's 6-11 showing from the field with four rebounds, three assists and two steals.
- UC Davis dominated the boards, out-rebounding the Pioneers 52-23. Omer Suljanovic was a force inside, pulling down a game, and career-high 13 rebounds.
- The Aggies turned defense into offense efficiently, converting 28 Pacific Union turnovers into 39 points.
- UC Davis' 18 total team steals was the highest mark amongst all Big West teams this season.
- Ball movement offensively was elite for UC Davis, as they recorded 28 assists on 37 made field goals, with Isaiah Chappell leading the team with five assists.
- Every Aggie that appeared in the game recorded at least one assist, while eight accounted for multiple assists.
- The UC Davis bench was spectacular, pouring in 56 points as a unit.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- After the Aggies jumped to an 11-6 advantage, UC Davis exploded for a 23-0 run midway through the first half. Capped by an Omer Suljanovic three-pointer, the surge pushed the lead to 34-6.
- The Aggies attacked the passing lanes relentlessly in the opening period, forcing 16 turnovers, taking a comfortable 40-19 advantage into halftime.
- UC Davis wasted no time out of the break, opening the second half on a 12-0 run—finished by a Marcus Wilson layup—to extend the lead to 52-19 with 17:56 remaining.
- The Aggies maintained their intensity throughout the second half, shooting 60 percent from the field and pouring in 68 points in the final 20 minutes.
- UC Davis controlled the interior, scoring 52 points in the paint for the game, and ultimately securing to the 108-52 victory.
UP NEXT
UC Davis opens Big West Conference play at home on Thursday, Jan. 1, hosting CSUN at the University Credit Union Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m. PT.
